His work on the classical test theory, factor analysis, and the g theory of intelligence continues to in. Understanding human intelligence institute for applied. Psychometric theories derive from studying individual differences in test performance on cognitive tests. The general factor in spearmans theory of intelligence. Charles spearman, an english psychologist, noticed that students who did well in one subject area tended to do well in corresponding subjects he concluded that human beings possess a generalized form of intelligence, known as a gfactor, which can lead to other specialized forms of intelligence. Spearmans theory of intelligence by agatha dellosde on prezi. Spearman s famous g, the general intelligence that we think of in relation to iq scores, is the result of factor analysis, a method of getting at unobserved factors from observed variables. The first theory i want to talk about is the theory of general intelligence which was put forth by a man named charles spearman. Theory of intelligence general intelligence theory intro to charles spearman sample intelligence test questions through the theory of general intelligence, he used technique known as factor analysis. The nature of intelligence and the principles of cognition.
In 1904, charles spearman had developed a statistical procedure called factor analysis. Charles spearman first described the existence of general intelligence in 1904. Psychologist charles spearman postulated the twofactor theory of intelligence in 1927 as a theory of trait organization based on the statistical analysis of iq. The triarchic theory of intelligence originated as an alternative to the concept of general intelligence factor, or g the theory, proposed by psychologist robert j. Theory of multiple intelligences howard gardners theory of multiple intelligences mi theory was first published in the seminal volume, frames of mind, in 1983. Spearman invented factor analysis but his almost exclusive concern with the notion of a general factor prevented him from realizing its full potential.
The new statistical techniques developed by thurstone provided the necessary tools for his most enduring contribution to psychology. The leadership passed to others, notably thurstone and thomson, but progress was hampered by inadequate computing facilities and a limited conceptual framework. The two factor theory of intelligence was proposed by charles spearman 1927. I model thurstons group factor theory spearman s twofactor theory. Thurstons theory of intelligence louis leon thurstone 29 may 1887 30 september 1955 was a u. The specific factor related to whatever unique abilities a particular test required so it differed from test to test. It may seem on first consideration that spearmans theory is no better than collectionofabilities theories, for it argues that intelligence is a.
Among the important theories of intelligence, we shall study three of them. Charles edward spearman, frs 10 september 1863 17 september 1945 was an english psychologist known for work in statistics, as a pioneer of factor analysis, and for spearman s rank correlation coefficient. Charles spearman developed his twofactor theory of intelligence using factor analysis. Spearmans twofactor theory jammu university 2 year b. Spearmans two factor theory of intelligence has been extremely. Educational implications and relevance of spearmans two factor theory. He proposed a theory of intelligence that became known as the twofactor theory spearman 1904, 1927. Charles edward spearman measures intelligence, publishes. Spearman s twofactor theory of intelligence states that any cognitive performance is a function of two factorsthe general ability common to most cognitive performances and an ability specific to a given test. Once spearman refined the statistical techniques in use, the theory was also wellsupported by the evidence. Sternbergs theory is called triarchic ruled by three because it deals with three aspects of intelligence. Questions about the structure of human intelligence. Psychologist charles spearman postulated the twofactor theory of intelligence in 1927 as a theory of trait organization based on the statistical analysis of iq test scores.
Two factor theory of intelligence educational psychology. Psychologists have attempted to understand the structure of intelligence for which they have formulated theories. Spearman s twofactor theory guilfords theory of structure of intellect s. It is the essence of intelligence, as spearman held. Multifactor theory of thorndike thorndike was an associationist and he opposed the theory of general intelligence. Spearman and the origin and development of factor analysis. Is intelligence a single overall ability or is it several specific abilities. Spearman pointed out that all intellectual activities have a single common factor called the general factor or g factor. In his1904a paper, spearman put forth a scientific theory of general intelligence. Charles spearman 18631945 was the leading psychometrician of the early 20th century.
Charles spearman, gave this theory of g factor using factor analysis, which was later revised to two factor theory g factor and s factor. According to spearman, this g factor was responsible for overall performance on mental ability tests. Spearman is wellknown for proposing the g factor, which refers to general mental ability. Spearman theory of intelligence pdf many theories of intelligence have been offered through the years. The theory gives a better insight to the teacher about the nature of intelligence. The general ability differs from individual to individual. In factor analysis, related variables are tested for correlation to each other, then the correlation of the related items are evaluated to find clusters or groups of the variables. Others of his time had theories about intelligence, but they had no test that could falsify their theory. Charles spearman, who proposed that intellectual abilites were comprised of two factors. Spearman and his followers place much more importance on general intelligence than on the. Spearman was an english engineer and army officer who became interested in psychology late in life.
Practical intelligence attaining a fit between oneself and their environment, or. Spearman s theory of general intelligence a scientific theory must be falsifiable. This paper is an outline of the significant achievements of the british psychologist, charles spearman, who was the originator of the classical theory of mental tests, the multivariate statistical method called factor analysis, and the first comprehensive theory of the intellect a two factor theory of intelligence which is comprised of a central notion, called general. The theory is based on factor analysis, which is a statistical procedure that correlates test scores to identify underlying clusters, or factors. The logic of using sens ory measures was sound enough. It was a theory of trait organization based on the statistical analysis of test scores. In the early 1900s, psychologist charles spearman developed his theory of general intelligence which identified g, an underlying intelligence factor. Although formally recognized by cattell, the distinction was foreshadowed by charles spearman who originally developed the theory of g and made a similar observation regarding the difference between eductive and reproductive mental ability. The theory of primary mental abilities, a model of human intelligence that challenged charles spearman s thendominant paradigm of a unitary conception of intelligence.
Nor is it the expression primarily of a general factor that pervades all mental activities. When spearman proposed the concept of general intelligence, his theory was very much in step with the opinions of many of his contemporaries. The theories are grouped into four major theory types. Intelligence is nothing more than a convenient name for almost infinite number of actual or potential specific connections between these stimuli and responses. G supposedly accounted for the wide range of observable abilities in humans which spoke to humans. General intelligence, also known as g factor, refers to the existence of a broad mental capacity that influences performance on cognitive ability measures.
Discuss spearmans twofactor theory of intelligence make a critical appraisal of twofactor theory describe j. He also did seminal work on models for human intelligence, including his theory that disparate cognitive test scores reflect a single general intelligence factor and. He conceived the approach to measurement known as the law of comparative judgment, and is well known for his contributions to factor analysis. What are the different theories of intelligence in. The theory maintained that all intellectual activities share a single common factor called g which is characterized as mental energy. Should this ambitious programme be achieved even in small degree, experimental psychology would thereby. According to him, intelligence consists of general g and specific s factor. His work on the classical test theory, factor analysis, and the g theory of intelligence continues to influence psychometrics, statistics, and the study. Charles spearman started his psychology career relatively late in life, beginning his ph. Spearman s twofactor theory was never widely accepted, and by the 1930s it was being replaced by multifactor theories of intelligence. Binets test did correspond with ot her ratings of intelligence. Spearman theory of intelligence and what it reveals. He believed that theres one general intelligence which include mental operations that are primary in natur. Fluid and crystallized intelligence are discrete factors of general intelligence, or g.
Spearman s work on intelligence resulted in a measure of intelligence for use in schools 1925 and the abilities of man, their nature and measurement 1927. The second factor charles spearman identified was the specific factor. Charles spearman advanced twofactor theory of intelligence in 1927. Creative intelligence adapting and generating novel ideas 3. The specific abilities also differ from individual to individual. States that intelligent activities are not an expression of innumerable highly specific factors, as thorndike claimed. As brody 1992 put it, spearman provided a theory and binet provided a test p. Theres a major division in psychometrics that different camps of intelligence theory have been fighting over for the last century. Spearman s two factor theory general factor specific factor. Sternberg, contends that there are three types of intelligence.
343 1429 995 360 1450 871 305 1124 87 1457 1403 429 314 696 1246 1256 1085 399 38 123 297 1099 835 853 759 1404 825 1116 1046 92 834 1195 879 891 958 1303 337 1057